Another College Rejects Daughter of Asahara

TOKYO, April 30 (Kyodo) — One of AUM Shinrikyo cult founder Shoko Asahara‘s daughters was rejected for enrollment by Bunkyo University, though she had earlier been accepted, university officials said Friday.

But the Tokyo District Court issued a provisional ruling Wednesday to recognize the 21-year-old as a student at the private university in Tokyo.

The move came after Wako University, also in Tokyo, rejected her after discovering she is the third daughter of Asahara, 49, whose real name is Chizuo Matsumoto.

Nobuharu Yashima, managing executive at Bunkyo University, said the institution rejected her because ”it is still suspected that she has relations with the group and her presence may damage the calm environment of our students and local community.”

Asahara was sentenced to death Feb. 27 on charges of murder and attempted murder in 13 criminal cases, including the 1995 sarin nerve gas attack on the Tokyo subway system. His defense team has appealed the ruling.